Two Years In: A Church Planting Journey in South Philadelphia
Today’s post is written by Scott Newcomer, Alliance church planter in South Philadelphia.
Can you believe that it has been nearly TWO YEARS since our church planting journey in South Philadelphia began?
While some things are drastically different than when we started (such as moving to a bi-vocational model about a year ago), other aspects of the ministry continue onward much in the same way as when we started.
The Weekly Meeting
Our weekly fellowship, which we call “The Weekly Meeting,” continues to meet regularly for prayer, fellowship, reading the Bible together and encouraging one another. After spending the entire school year in the gospel of Luke, we are taking a break for the summer asking God what the first letter of John might mean to a society where many are deconstructing their faith. We are also spending some intentional time discussing what it looks like to be missional in our neighborhood.
A Monthly House Church
At the beginning of this year, we began meeting once a month on Sundays for “Monthly House Church.” We make it different from the Weekly Meeting by meeting in our basement instead of on the first floor, and have a full church service, including our family providing live worship music, serving communion at times, etc. I have been preaching a sermon series investigating the purpose of the church called “Built Together,” based on Ephesians 2:22. Our prayer is that God would use this time for developing, equipping and giving vision to the eventual core team.
As various members of the community have come through the group, one of the intended goals, that the ministry would be multi-ethnic, has come to fruition. Amongst the first and second generation immigrants that have attended, approximately 10 different nationalities are represented.
Another outcome that was not intended, but still very exciting and welcome, is that the group is multi-generational. It’s not all people in our age range! Thankfully, there are many of both of our sons’ classmates that have attended at various times, including right after high school graduation when we had an opportunity to celebrate, bless and pray for our oldest son and many of his friends as they move on to the next chapter in their lives.
Community Engagement
Another unexpected opportunity falls under the category of “community engagement.” After exactly three years of living in South Philly, I was asked to be the Block Captain for my block, which has mainly involved providing organization and fostering better communication so the block is safer, cleaner and friendlier. It has been a great way to connect with and serve our block, and a testimony worth celebrating about being accepted into our new community.
Pray for Us
On a personal note, both of our sons are starting big new chapters this school year. Our oldest will begin his studies at Temple University, studying jazz piano while continuing to live at home. Our youngest will begin high school at Central High School, one of the oldest public high schools in the U.S. Please join us in praising the Lord and asking Him for what He has for all of us in these new seasons! In addition, we would appreciate your prayers as we navigate the challenges of life, work and ministry all happening, sometimes simultaneously, in our home. Please also continue to pray for protection, family unity, and that God will provide vision about the next phase of our ministry.
We are very thankful for the prayers and support of our EPD family!